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GPS Gems
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When people talk about a GPS, they are
usually referring to a GPS receiver. The Global Positioning
System (GPS for short) is actually a system of 27
Earth-orbiting satellites (24 are in use, and three extras)
which make possible the identification of precise locations
anywhere on the Earth's surface. Originally created by the
military for use as a navigation system, GPS was first made
available to the general public in 1980, and created an
entire new industry and a world of possible applications.
Each of these 4,000 pound solar-powered satellites circles
the globe in a precise orbit 12,000 miles above the Earth.
The orbits are arranged so that anytime, anywhere on Earth,
there are at least four satellites "visible" in the sky. A
GPS receiver's job is to locate four or more of these
satellites, figure out the distance to each, and use that
information to determine its own location.
For additional
information about GPS, the most affordable and reliable
models and thousands of resources pertaining specifically to
GPS systems check out this website. |
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